Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Since World War II, Americans have gathered together on the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate the year's bounty and blessings, sharing food, friendship, and — in many houses — football.

The holiday actually dates all the way back to the 1500s, when some of the first Europeans to reach North America gave thanks for what they had. The first Thanksgiving in what is now the United States is thought by many historians to have been celebrated by the Spanish at St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565. There were also Thanksgiving celebrations in Virginia in 1619, two years before the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans commemorated the much-depicted lifesaving harvest at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts.

Owing to its history, Thanksgiving is a uniquely North American holiday with rich traditions. It's cliche to say this, but it's a good time to reflect on what we've got, and pray for those who aren't as fortunate.

From President Obama's Thanksgiving proclamation:

As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation. This Thanksgiving Day, we remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day.

Here are some of the things we're thankful for:

• We're thankful that voters defeated three of the five corporate initiatives, turning back the insurance giants and the alcohol profiteers, who were soundly trounced.
• We're thankful that respected attorney Charlie Wiggins, who narrowly prevailed over entrenched incumbent Richard Sanders, will soon be our state Supreme Court's newest Associate Justice.
• We're thankful that Patty Murray and Rick Larsen will continue to represent Washington in the United States Congress. 
• We're thankful that NPI alum Michael Finkle, who was appointed to King County District Court earlier this year, has been elected to serve a full term. 
• We're thankful that Roger Goodman and Luis Moscoso, who were behind on Election Night, have come from behind to defeat their Republican opponents.
• We're thankful that Representative Nancy Pelosi has refused to throw in the towel, and is remaining the House Democratic Leader through 2012.
• We're thankful that Keith Olbermann continues to anchor Countdown on MSNBC, speaking truth to power five days a week.
• We're thankful for Jon Stewart's parodies of Glenn Beck on The Daily Show, and for his willingness to talk about his comedic and political philosophy with Rachel Maddow in a recent interview. 

Finally, like our friends at the Center for American Progress, we're thankful for redistricting reform. We already have a bipartisan Redistricting Commission here in Washington that redraws the political map after each census, but gerrymandering has remained a problem in other states. However, this year, voters in California and Florida approved measures which make their redistricting processes more like ours. We salute voters in the Golden and Sunshine states for following our lead.